Opening remarks

by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Situation Data Exchange
between NATO and Ukraine.

It gives me pleasure to host the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Situation Data Exchange between NATO, represented by SHAPE and Hungary as the nation hosting the NATO entity, and Ukraine.

With the signing of the MoU on Air Situation Data Exchange we reach an important milestone for this programme and in the strategic partnership between NATO and Ukraine.  This achievement is a clear sign of commitment on the part of Ukraine to continue the implementation of practical efforts to build closer relations with NATO.

Let me congratulate everyone involved in the programme and in particular you, Minister Yekhanurov, for the achievements reached so far. 

We are looking forward to the continuation of this effort and the finalisation of the technical implementation of the programme, which should be achieved before the end of the year.

Let me now hand over to you Minister Yekhanurov and Minister Szekeres for your brief statements.